Drum cartridge feeding mechanism



May 16, W? R. J. CASULL DRUM CARTRIDGE FEEDING MECHANISM 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Aug. 27, 1964 u my A UHHH INVENTOR RlC HARD J. CASULL ATTORNEY 196? R. J. CASULL 3,3fi9fi23 DRUM CARTRIDGE FEEDING MECHANISM Filed Aug. 27, 1964 FIG. 5.

4 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG.5.

34 I l 53 v INVENTOR U RICHARD J.CASULL I ,I {I

ATTORNEY May 16, 1967 R. J. CASULL DRUM CARTRIDGE FEEDING MECHANISM 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Aug. 27, 1964 FIG. 3A

FIG. 5B.

INVENTOR RICHARD J. CASULL BY 6 ATTORNEY y 1967 R. J. CASULL 3,3l9523 DRUM CARTRIDGE FEEDING MECHANISM Filed Aug. 27, 1964 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 FIG. 6. FIG. 9.

FIG. 12. FIG. 13.

INVENTOR RICHARD J. CASULL BY 4/ I 1 r TTORNEY nite Miser This invention relates generally to guns of the automatic firing type, and more particularly to sub-machine guns.

Many of the present machine guns lack several of the advantages sought in this type of device. In view of the environment wherein machine guns will be found, namely, the military and law enforcement agencies, due to the laws attendant to their possession, it is of primary importance that the user be able to quickly attach a magazine containing the maximum number of round of cartridges to the weapon. To further facilitate the use of the device it is also most advantageous to have ready means for changing the barrel and for adjusting the head-space, thereof while in the field where specialized tools are available.

Accordingly, one of the objects of the present invention is to provide a sub-machine gun having a rapidly attachable drum-type magazine mounted above the top of the receiver and containing an exceptionally large number of rounds in the small space involved.

Another object of the invention is to provide a machine gun having a drum-type cartridge magazine having novel feeding means to insure dependability in the feeding and ejection of the cartridges regardless of the position in which the weapon is held.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a machine gun operated by the recoil or blow-back principle and including a pivotal guide arm which is oscillated by the movement of the bolt to assist in the feeding and ejecting of the cartridges.

Another object of the invention is to provide a machine gun having a quickly detachable barrel which may be removed without the use of special tools.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a sub-machine gun having novel means for changing its operation from semi-automatic to full automatic firing.

With these and other objects in view, which will more readily appear as the nature of the invention is better understood, the invention consists in the novel construction, combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter more fully described, illustrated and claimed.

FIGURE 1 is a vertical sectional view of a machine gun according to the invention.

FIGURE 1a is a top plan view of the top catch plate forming part of the cartridge drum feeding mechanism.

FIGURE 2 is a partial top horizontal sectional view of the machine gun as seen in FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 3 is a partial vertical sectional view showing the bolt, trigger mechanism, and bolt sear lock in the closed position, with the selector in the semi-automatic position.

FIGURE 3a is a partial vertical sectional view of the mechanism as in FIGURE 3 but with the bolt in the cocked or ready position.

FIGURE 3b is a partial vertical sectional view of the device shown in FIGURE 3 but with the trigger depressed and the weapon having been fired.

FIGURE 4 is a partial vertical sectional view of the trigger mechanism and bolt sear lock similar to FIG- URE 3 but with the selector in the full-automatic position.

FIGURE 5 is a partial horizontal sectional view illust P Fatent Patented May I6, 12%;

trating the selector passing through the trigger assernb shown in FIGURES 3 and 4.

FIGURE 6 is a partial bottom plan view of the bull guide plate and guide arm.

FIGURE 6a is a top plan view of the bullet guit plate.

FIGURE 7 is a side elevation, partly in section of ti bullet guide arm and guide plate.

FIGURE 8 is a top plan view of the drum housing.

FIGURE 9 is a top plan view of the bullet separato FIGURE 10 is a partial vertical section through tl drum housing.

FIGURE 11 is a side elevation of the bullet separate FIGURE 12 is a top plan view, partly broken awe} and partially illustrates the drum and separator assen bly as it applies to the vertical bullet separation.

FIGURE 13 is a vertical section of the assembly FIGURE 12.

Similar reference characters designate correspondin parts throughout the several figures of the drawings.

Referring now to the drawings, particularly FIGURl 1, it will be seen that the sub-machine gun comprise a barrel 1 slidably fitted against the forward portion c a received 2 and retained thereagainst by means of barrel locking mechanism generally designated 3, an mounted in the forward portion of the receiver 2. Th rearmost portion of the barrel contains a notch 4 fo engaging a mating projection 5 on the rear of a barre lock 6. Spring '7 constantly urges the forward portio1 S of the barrel lock 6 downwardly so that the lock 6 piv ots about the pin 9 to urge the projection 5 upward intr the notch 4.

Referring now also to FIGURE 2, it will be notet that the pin 9 is disposed within an elongated slot 9: formed through the forward portion of the receiver 2 The forwardmost edge of the receiver is provided with a pair of machine screws 10 which may be adjustably positioned to vary the position of the pin 9 and therefore the lock 6 with respect to the receiver 2. Thus it will be seen that by manipulating the position of the screws to the longitudinal adjustment of the projection 5 oi the lock 6 may be altered to selectively determine the relative position of the barrel 1 which engages the projection 5 by means of the notch 4. Suitable heavy coil springs 6b, 6b are seated in the receiver on the one end, and bear against the pin 9 on the other, to maintain the pin in constant engagement with the ends of the screws 10.

The preceding arrangement provides quick and accurate adjustment of the weapons headspace, or distance between the rear face of the barrel and the forward face of the bolt when in its locked position.

Disposed within the rearward portion of the receiver 2 is a bolt 11. This bolt is of the solid type, that is, it is provided with an integral rigid firing pin 12 on its forward nose portion 13. Removably mounted on one side of the bolt 11 is a cocking handle 14 retained in the side of the bolt by means of pin 15. A longitudinal opening 16 is provided in the side of the receiver to accommodate the reciprocating movement of said cocking handle. A longitudinal bore 17 opening to the rear of the bolt receives the mainspring 18. The rear of the mainspring 18 is supported and guided by means of mainspring guide 19 attached to the rear wall 2d of the receiver. Piv-otally mounted upon the side of the receiver opposite that of the cocking handle 14 is an oscillating bullet guide arm 21 adapted to pivot about the pin 22. The rear portion of the bullet guide arm 21 is enlarged to provide a rear projection 21a, while the forward portion is enlarged to form a reciprocating bullet guide 23. The side of the bolt immediately adjacent the oscillating bullet guide arm 21 is provided with a cam surface 24 which, as will be seen by viewing FIGURE 2, abuts the rear projec- :ion 21a on the guide arm 21 when the bolt is in its earmost or retracted position. Similarly, when the bolt :ravels to its forward or closed position as viewed in FIGURE 2, the forward nose portion 13 of the bolt itrikes the guide arm 21 and causes return of the bullet guide arm 21 to the position shown in this figure. The function of this bullet guide arm will be described hereinafter.

Mounted on top of the receiver is a sliding drum lock and receiver sight base 25. Longitudinal movement is mparted to the drum look by means of locking cam 26 pivotally mounted to the top of the receiver as at 27. As he sliding drum lock cam 26 is pivotally rotated by means of manual pressure upon the finger tab 27a it Will be seen that the drum lock 25 will be retracted or moved to the right as viewed in FIGURE 1. The forward lower side edges of the drum lock are provided with locking recesses 28 which engage the rear peripheral edges 29 of the base plate of the drum assembly D. As :he drum lock 25 is retracted the recess 28 is moved from engagement with the drum assembly 29. The above action is the only step necessary in order to unlock the drum assembly 29 so that the empty drum housing D may be removed and replaced with a loaded drum of cartridges.

Mounted beneath the receiver 2 is the trigger housing 30 which may in turn form a mounting base for receiving any suitable type of stock member such as the pistol grip stock '31 shown in the drawings. FIGURES 3-5 may be referred to in connection with the specific arrangement of the trigger and sear construction. As noted, the trigger, generally designated 32, comprises two primary sections, namely, the main trigger section 33 which is provided with a longitudinal U-shaped channel 34 for receiving the slidable disconnector 35. A transverse opening 3-6 is provided through both side walls of the main trigger section, as well as the medially disposed disconnector section 35 for slidably receiving the selector 38. A spring 39 mounted in a bore in the forward portion of the disconnector urges a plunger 40 against the selector to assist in maintaining the selector in one or the other of its two positions :as will be described hereinafter. A somewhat similar spring-urged plunger 41 is mounted in the lower portion of the trigger housing 30 and constantly bears against the rear surface of the trigger 32 to urge the trigger to its forward, or at rest position, as shown in FIGURES 3 and 4.

The portions of the selector extending from the two sides of the trigger are journaled in the adjacent side walls of the trigger housing 30 whereby pivotal support is provided the trigger. The openings in the side walls of the trigger housing 30 through which the ends of the selector pass are of circular cross section, as are the openings in the two side walls 42 of the trigger assembly. The selector '38 is generally of similar circular section and is mounted through said openings to provide a close fit which allows sliding movement to be imparted to the selector as well as pivotal movement of the trigger assembly around the selector.

An enclosed recess 43 formed in the medial portion of the selector 38 is adapted to cooperate with a mating chamfered edge 44 on the rear side of the transverse opening 36 in the disconnector 35 as will be most closely seen from FIGURE 5.

A bolt sear lock 45 mounted in a recess in the bottom of the receiver 2 includes an inclined recess 46 in its upper surface the effect of which is to provide a raised or locking surface 47 at the rear of the sear lock 45. An elongated transverse bore 48 is provided through the medial portion of the sear lock for receiving a pin 49 carried in the sides of the receiver 2. Suitable spring plunger means 50 is disposed inside the bolt sear lock for urging the sear lock to the position shown in FIGURES 3 and 4, wherein it will be noted that the sear lock is normally urged to the far right with the pin 49 abutting the left hand portion of the elongated bore 48. Mounted in the trigger housing immediately beneath the sear lock is a spring plunger 51 for applying a constant upward :pressure against the undersurface of the sear lock. The contact surface of the plunger 51 is preferably rounded for reasons which will become apparent hereinafter. As FIG- URE 3a discloses the weapon in a cocked or ready-to-fire position, it will be understood that the bolt 11 has been drawn back against the force of mainspring 18 and is retained in the open position by means of the locking surface 47 at the rear of the sear lock 45, which surface is constantly urged u wardly by spring plunger 51. The bolt is retained in its open .position by the locking surface 47 which engages the bolt stop 52, comprising a notch in the opposed surface of the bolt. With the sear lock engaging the bolt stop 52, it will be seen that the forward thrust of the mainspring 18 is transmitted through the sear lock and urges the sear forward against the force of the small spring plunger 50, an amount equal to the width of the elongated bore 48 in the sear.

The purpose and operation of the above structure will now be described. With the disconnector 35 urged towards the forward or semi-automatic position by the plunger 40 as shown in FIGURE 3a, it will be seen that when the trigger is depressed and thus pivots about the selector pin 38 the top rear corner 53 of the disconnector will pivot upwardly to strike the forward position 54 of the sear lock 45. This force pivots the sear lock around pin 49 to cause disengagement of the locking surface 47 from bolt stop 52 and subsequent forward movement of the bolt to effect firing. With the trigger released, the mechanism would appear as in FIGURE 3 at the moment of firing.

If the trigger is not then released and the disconnector 35 was set as shown in FIGURES 3 and 3a, then the trigger and sear lock would appear as in FIGURE 3b immediately after firing. In this position the lower forward edge 54 of the sear lock, which first drops downwardly when the locking surface 47 swings up into the bolt stop 52, and then moves partially forward as the spring plunger yields to the mainspring pressure, strikes the back wall 53 of the disconnector 35. It will thus be seen that the weapon cannot be fired until the trigger is first released, whereupon the sear lock will be moved forward the remainder of its travel within the limits of the bore 48, and will then appear as in FIGURE 3a.

FIGURES 4 and 5 illustrate the selector 38 positioned to provide for full automatic fire. The selector is moved to the right whereby the rear chamfered edge 44 of the transverse opening in the disconnector 35 is forced out of the inclined recess 43 in the selector. The disconnector is thus displaced rearwardly against the force of the spring plunger 40 so that the rear edge 53 thereof projects beyond the rear of the side walls 42 of the trigger assembly. With this setting, the rear edge 53 of the disconnector 35 is always disposed beneath and to the rear of the forward edge 54 of the sear lock whether the sear is in its forward or rear position so that when the trigger is pulled, the sear lock is held in a continuous disengaged position. For as long as the trigger is released, the bolt and sear lock asstmie the cocked or open position since the forward edge 54 of the sear lock is free to pivot downwardly against the force of spring plunger 51.

The cartridge drum assembly, generally designated D, is removably mounted upon the drum center post 55 secured to the barrel. The drum assembly includes a flat substantially circular base plate 56 to which is attached a horizontal bullet separator 57 comprising a plurality of fiat circular decks 58 interconnected to one another by means of inclined ramps 59 so that one continuous spiral-like path is provided from the top of the free end 60 of the horizontal separator to the lower end 61 fixed to the base plate 56.

The drum post 55 may be attached to the top of the barrel by any suitable means insuring its rigid attachment thereto. The bottom of the post may, for example, be provided with a T-shaped base 55a, which mates with a correspondingly shaped transverse recess on the upper surface of the barrel.

A flat mounting surface 62 is formed on the top of the barrel and extends rearwardly on the top of the receiver to the forward portion of the sliding drum lock 25. The forward edge of the base plate 56 includes a tongue portion 63 having a medial indentation 64 adapted to engage a corresponding projection (not shown) disposed within an undercut recess 65 forming the forward limit of the mounting surface 62. The peripheral edge 29 of the base plate 56, diametrically opposed to the tongue 63, projects rearwardly to provide a forked locking flange cooperating with the aforementioned locking recesses 28 on the sliding drum lock 25.

A bushing collar 66 is centrally mounted over an opening in the base plate 56 and assists in initially orienting the drum assembly D during loading. The inside diameter of the collar 66 is somewhat larger than the diameter of the post 55 to permit the drum assembly to be sufficiently tilted during loading to allow the tongue 63 to engage the forward recess 65. The lack of a close fit between the collar 66 and post 55 does not preclude orientation of the drum assembly during loading since this is assured by the indentation 64 in the tongue 63 and the locking flange 29 at the rear of the plate 56 when the drum lock 25 is in its forwardmost position.

An opening 67 in the plate Se is provided for admitting the cartridges C from the drum assembly to the inside of the receiver adjacent the chamber 68. This opening 67 is disposed intermediate the locking edges of flange 29 and adjacent the end 61 of the lowermost deck 58. The dimensions of the opening, which is disposed beneath the ramps 59, are such as to permit ready passage of a cartridge C therethrough without any binding contact.

Adapted to fit over the top of the horizontal bullet separator 57 is the circular drum housing, generally designated 6%, and comprising a top wall '76 having depending inner and outer walls, 71 and 72 respectively. Spanning the circular opening between the base of the inner wall 71 is a driving plate 73 having a central aperture adapted to slidably fit around the collar 65 of the base plate 56. Any suitable means such as the spring snapring 66a may be utilized to retain the drum housing 69 in position over the horizontal bullet separator 57.

The radial distance between the concentric inner and outer walls 71 and 72 is substantially greater than the width of the circular decks 58 of the horizontal bullet separator 57 for reasons which will immediately become apparent.

Adjacent decks 58 of the separator assembly 57 are vertically spaced from one another a distance which is slightly greater than the diameter of the casings of cartridges C to preclude binding during feeding.

The outer wall 72 includes a plurality of vertically disposed ribs 74 radially projecting from the inner side of the wall to a point just short of the outer edge of the decks 58. The ribs 74 are spaced from each other a distance slightly greater than the diameter of the cartridge rims C to provide a cavity 75 for the reception of the cartridge bases. The inner surface of the inner wall 71. is provided with a plurality of vertical grooves 76 having the approximate contour of the nose of the bullets C Since the grooves 76 are radially aligned with the cavities 75 it will be seen that positive means are provided by the drum housing 69 for insuring vertical alignment and separation of the cartridges C while the equi-spaced decks 58 of the separator 57 provide for horizontal separation and alignment.

With the foregoing structure in mind, it will be readily understood that a positive cartridge feeding arrangement is provided, wherein, clockwise rotary movement of the drum housing 69 imparts horizontal or rotary advancement of all the cartridges 0. When the cartridges have been advanced by the ribs 74 and grooves 76 to tl ramp portions 59, they fall by gravity as well as positiv pressure down to the next lower deck. Additional guir ance is offered by the ramp 53 next above the cartridge as they reach the end of each deck and are directed dowr wardly to the next lower deck, or through the openin 67 in the case of those cartridges on the lowermost decl Each cartridge remains captive between a pair of oppose notches 76 and cavities 75 during its entire travel fror an upper deck 58 until dischar ed through the opening 6".

The aforementioned driving plate 73, attached to th bottom of the inner wall 71 of the drum housing is prr vided with a plurality of upturned ratchet teeth 77' whic may be formed by upwardly striking portions of the plat '73 to present inclined elements having abutment edge 78 raised from the plate itself.

Driving means are provided in the form of a sprin housing assembly 79 (FIGURES 1 and la) for rotatin the drum housing 69 to feed the cartridges. This sprin, assembly includes a top catch plate 89 to which is at tached a helically coiled clock-type driving spring 8 adapted to be lowered over the post 55 after the loader drum housing 69 with the bullet separator 57 has beer placed in position over the post.

A floating mounting sleeve 39a depends from the catcl plate 84 and slidably fits over the center post 55. Suit able means are provided at the lower end of the sleevi dim, such as notches 8% which interlock with mating projections at the base of the post 55 for preventing rotary movement of the sleeve when in the position a; shown in FIGURE 1.

The outermost convolution of the spring 81 is at tached, as by welding, to a circular spring housing Sit surrounding the spring. The innermost end of the spring on the other hand, is secured to the mounting sleeve 8% The bottom edge of the housing 81a. is provided witi a plurality of projecting fingers 82 which extend down Wardly to a point at least beneath the edges 73 of the teeth 77. With this arrangement, it is impossible for the spring 81 to unwind in a clockwise direction withou'. turning of the drum housing and the resultant feeding of the cartridges, since the fingers 82 will strike the raisec' ratchet teeth 77 to cause rotation of the plate 73 forming part of the drum housing.

To facilitate the winding of the spring, fingergrip openings may be provided in the catch plate 84 whereby the spring assembly may be manually rotated counter-clockwise against the force of the anchored spring 81. During such winding motion, the fingers 82 ride over and depress the ratchet teeth 77. Due to the inherent resiliency of the base plate material 73 from which the teeth are formed, these teeth immediately spring back up after the fingers 82 pass over the edges 78, which edges it will be seen prevent clockwise rotation of the spring assembly '79 without the drum housing 69. Alternatively, the teeth 77 can be rigidly disposed with respect to the plate 73 and the fingers 82, would therefore be vertically movable and spring urged downwardly (not shown).

To retain the complete cartridge feeding mechanism in position upon the machine gun, the diameter of the top plate 3% is formed sufficiently large enough to overlie at least a portion of the top wall 71] of the drum housing 69. "Positive means for locking the assembly in place are provided on the undersurface of the top plate iii in the form of a pair of sliding catches 84 (FIGURE In) each of which has a finger engaging portion 84a disposed beneath one of the finger openings in the catch plate and a locking edge 84b adapted to be slidably moved into and out of a horizontal recess 55b in the center post 55. Suitable spring means such as leaf springs b, 80]), are anchored at one of their ends to the undersur-- face of the top catch plate and have their other ends engaged by the catches to normally bias the catches outwardly to maintain the locking edges 84b within the recesses 5512. As noted in FIGURE la, appropriate upporting blocks 30c, 80c retain the catches in mutual liding abutment.

With an understanding of the above cartridge feeding tructure in mind, it will be seen that after the spring vssembly 79 has been wound up, the drum housing will. re under constant tension and will be urging all of the :artridges c to move in a clockwise direction so that as on-g as there is at least one cartridge within the sepaator assembly 57, there will be a cartridge being urged hrough the opening 67 in the base plate 56.

Since the force of the spring 81 is constant and there ire no means included within the drum assembly for topping and starting the discharge of cartridges from the )pening 67, appropriate means are provided elsewhere or regulating the feeding of the cartridges from the lrum assembly into the chamber 68, and the subsequent :jection of the spent casings from the weapon.

Fitted upon the top of the receiver 2, immediately aeneath the opening 67 in the base plate, is a U-shaped Jullet entrance guide plate 85 disposed with its top sur- Face flush with the mounting surface 62 and having a ongitudinal feed slot 86 below the opening 67.

As seen in FIGURES 2, 6, and 7, the bullet guide 23 )n the forward part of the oscillating arm 21 is disposed Jeneath the guide slot 86 when the bolt is in the cocked, )r ready-to-fire posittion. By this arrangement, the owermost cartridge C being directed downwardly from he drum housing assembly will be supported upon the :op surface of the guide 23 in a plane beneath the top ;urface of the guide plate 85 but slightly above the center axis of the barrel. When the sear is actuated to release :he bolt, the upper section of the face of the bolt 11 ;trikes the rear of the cartridge to cause the bullet to contact the rounded forward web 85a of the guide plate 85 preparatory to entering the chamber 68. As the bolt :ontinues its forward movement, the guide 23 will be forced outwardly away from its position beneath the slot 86 thereby permitting the cartridge to be axially aligned with the chamber as it is driven forward into firing position. During the period when the guide is pushed out of its bullet holding position the upper surface of the bolt supports the cartridges being urged downwardly from the drum assembly. It will be understood that the cartridge will be automatically fired when it is fully seated within the chamber 68 and the firing pin 12 detonates the primer (not shown) in the base of the cartridge.

To prevent hanging of the rim of the lowermost cartridge behind the rim of the cartridge next above, an incliued ramp or pin 85]; straddles the rear of the slot 86 at an angle such that as the lower cartridge is initially directed to the plate 85- from the top right through the opening 67 in the base of the bullet separator, it will be immediately projected forwardly due to the inclination of the pin 85b, as shown in FIGURE 7.

The downwardly inclined surface 850 (FIGURES 1, 6a and 7) along the right leg of the plate further guides the cartridges from the separator into the slot 86. Also, the two ledges 85d, 85d projecting inwardly from both sides of the plate along the rear half thereof, reduce the amount of excess clearance between the cartridge rim and sides of the slot 86 to assist in axially aligning the cartridge with respect to the chamber 68.

Upon the firing of the cartridge, a portion of the force of the recoil is directed through the spent cartridge case against the face of the bolt to drive the bolt rearwardly against the force of the bolt mainspring 18. During the initial retraction period, the top of the bolt supports the next cartridge to be fed into the chamber 68, but when the previously fired cartridge case has driven the bolt rearwardly so that the face of the bolt is no longer under the slot 86, the guide 23 on the oscillating arm 21 will be driven inwardly by action of the bolt cam surface 24 on the rear projection 21a of the arm 21. This inward pivoting of the guide 23 serves to eject the spent cartridge case downwardly to drive it out through the ejection opening in the bottom of the receiver, at which point it will be seen that the mechanism will appear as in FIG- URE 7 with another cartridge C resting upon the guide 23 and ready to be driven into the chamber 68 when the bolt is closed. To assist the guide 23 in clearing the receiver chamber of the spent cartridge case, the forward bottom half of the right leg of the plate is provided with a downwardly directed cutout area 85e through which the case is driven by the guide 23 prior to ejection from the weapon.

From the foregoing it will be seen that the arrangement of the oscillating guide arm 21 together with the guide plate 85 and forced feed of the cartridges from the drum magazine enables the weapon to function in any position, even when held upside down.

I claim:

1. A machine gun comprising, a receiver, a barrel secured to the forward part of said receiver, a rotary horizontal cartridge magazine on top of said barrel, a chamber in the forward part of said receiver adjacent the rear of said barrel, said magazine including a bullet separator comprising a plurality of substantially horizontal spaced apart circular decks adapted to receive a layer of cartridges between each pair thereof, a base plate secured to the lowermost of said decks, said plate having an opening adjacent the free end of the lowermost of said decks and juxtaposed to said chamber, a circular drum housing provided at its lower portion with a central horizontal driving plate and adapted to fit over said bullet separator for rotary movement with respect thereto, vertically disposed means within said housing engaging the ends of the cartridges between said decks, and power means within said magazine engaging said driving plate to rotate said drum housing for advancing the cartridges through said separator and into said chamber through said opening.

2. A machine gun comprising, a receiver, a barrel secured to the forward part of said receiver, a rotary horizontal cartridge magazine on top of said barrel, a chamber in the forward part of said receiver adjacent the rear of said barrel, said magazine including a bullet separator comprising a plurality of substantially horizontal spaced apart circular decks adapted to receive a layer of cartridges between each pair thereof, a base plate secured to the lowermost of said decks, said plate having an opening adjacent the free end of the lowermost of said decks and juxtaposed to said chamber, a circular drum housing provided at its lower portion with a central horizontal driving plate and adapted to fit over said bullet separator for rotary movement with respect thereto, vertically disposed means within said housing engaging the ends of the cartridges between said decks, spring power means within said magazine having one end adapted to be anchorcd with respect to the gun and the opposite end movable with respect to said bullet separator, one-way clutch means provided on said horizontal driving plate and engageable by said spring power means to rotate said drum housing for advancing the cartridges through said separator and into said chamber through said opening.

3. A machine gun comprising, a receiver, a barrel secured to the forward part of said receiver, a rotary horizontal cartridge magazine on top of said barrel, a chamber in the forward part of said receiver adjacent the rear of said barrel, said magazine including a bullet separator comprising a plurality of substantially horizontal spaced apart circular decks adapted to receive a layer of cartridges between each pair thereof, a base plate secured to the lowermost of said decks, said plate having an opening adjacent the free end of the lowermost of said decks and juxtaposed to said chamber, a circular drum housing provided at its lower portion with a central horizontal driving plate and adapted to fit over said bullet separator for rotary movement with respect thereto, vertically disposed means within said housing engaging the ends of the cartridges between said decks, spring power means within said magazine having one end adapted to In be anchored with respect to the gun and the opposite end movable with respect to said bullet separator, at least one finger depending from said spring means towards said driving plate, one-way clutch means provided on said horizontal driving plate and engageable by said spring power means to rotate said drum housing for advancing the cartridges through said separator and into said chamber through said opening, said clutch means comprising, ratchet teeth elevated from the surface of said driving plate and including abutment edges adapted to be engaged by said finger on said spring means when rotated in one direction.

5. A machine gun according to claim ll, wherein, said circular decks are interconnected by inclined ramps to form a single integral bullet separator, whereby, as said power means rotates said drum housing, cartridges between the uppermost of said decks will be progressively advanced through all of said decks therebeneath.

5. A machine gun comprising, a receiver, a barrel secured to the forward part of said receiver, a center post upstanding from said barrel, a rotary horizontal cartridge magazine on top of said barrel, a chamber in the forward part of said receiver adjacent the rear of said barrel, said magazine including a bullet separator comprising a plurality of substantially horizontal spaced apart circular decks adapted to receive a layer of cartridges between each pair thereof, a base plate secured to the lowermost of said decks, said plate provided with a centrally disposed aperture adapted to fit over said center post, means on the periphery of said plate engageable with releasable locking means on the top of said gun for securing the plate against rotary and axial displacement, said plate having an opening adjacent the free end of the lowermost of said decks and juxtaposed to said chamber, a circular drum housing provided at its lower portion with a central horizontal driving plate and adapted to fit over said bullet separator for rotary movement with respect thereto, vertically disposed means within said housing engaging the ends of the cartridges between said decks, and power means within said magazine engaging said driving plate to rotate said drum housing for advancing the cartridges through said separator and into said chamber through said opening.

6. A machine gun comprising, a receiver, a barrel secured to the forward part of said receiver, a center post upstanding from said barrel, a rotary horizontal cartridge magazine on top of said barrel, a chamber in the forward part of said receiver adjacent the rear of said barrel, said magazine including a bullet separator comprising a plurality of substantially horizontal spaced apart circular decks adapted to receive a layer of car tridges between each pair thereof, a base plate secured to the lowermost of said decks, said plate provided with a centrally disposed aperture adapted to fit over said center post, means on the periphery of said plate engageable with releasable locking means on the top of said gun for securing the plate against rotary and axial displacement, said plate having an opening adjacent the free end of the lowermost of said decks and juxtaposed to said chamber, a circular drum housing provided at its lower portion with a central horizontal driving plate and adapted to fit over said bullet separator for rotary movement with respect thereto, vertically disposed means within said housing engaging the ends of the cartridges between said decks, a top catch plate extending over said drum housing, power means supported from said top plate and engaging said driving plate to rotate said drum housing for advancing the cartridges through said separator and into said chamber through said opening, a peripheral recess adjacent the end of said center post, and sliding catches on said top plate engageable with said recess to secure said magazine upon the gun.

7. A machine gun according to claim 6, wherein, said catches are spring-urged into position within said recess and include finger-engageable portions permitting disi l? placement of said catches from said recess to remov said top plate from said center post.

8. A machine gun according to claim 5, wherein, sai releasable locking means includes, a drum lock mountet upon the top of said receiver, finger operable cam mean engaging said drum lock to impart sliding movemen thereto to move said lock to and from locking engage ment with said driving plate.

9. A blow-back actuated machine gun, comprising, 1 receiver having a cartridge chamber, a barrel attached tr said receiver adjacent said chamber, a bolt slidable in sait receiver and normally spring-urged to a forward position said chamber provided with a top cartridge receiving opening and a bottom shell ejection opening, a cartridge magazine disposed over said top opening, power mean: in said magazine continually urging cartridges into saic top opening, rigid guide means in said top opening above the path of said bolt for receiving and axially aligning cartridges from said magazine, an oscillating guide arrr mounted in said receiver adjacent one side of said bolt, an inwardly projecting bullet guide on the forward portion of said arm disposed below said rigid guide means in said chamber and adapted to be moved to a point in front of the face of said bolt, said arm having an inwardly directed rear projection, a cam surface on the side of said bolt adjacent said guide arm, whereby, when said bolt is in its forwardmost position said bullet guide is forced aside by said bolt and the cartridge from said magazine rests upon the top surface of said bolt, and subsequent retraction of said bolt engages said cam surface with said rear projection to move said forward bullet guide inwardly in front of the face of said retracted bolt to support the cartridge previously resting upon said bolt and to strike the cartridge case leaving the barrel breech to urge it towards said bottom ejection opening, and return movement of said bolt forwardly releases said cam surface from said rear projection as the face of said bolt proceeds forwardly to move said bullet guide projection outwardly away from the path of the bolt and drive the next cartridge into said barrel.

10. A blow-back actuated machine gun, comprising, a receiver having a cartridge chamber, a barrel attached to said receiver adjacent said chamber, a bolt slidable in said receiver and normally spring-urged to a forward position, said chamber provided with a top cartridge receiving opening and a bottom shell ejection opening, a cartridge magazine disposed over said to opening, power means in said magazine continually urging cartridges into said top opening, rigid guide means in said top opening above the path of said bolt for receiving and axially aligning cartridges from said magazine, said rigid guide means comprising a U-shaped plate including two side legs connected by a rounded forwardly disposed web at one end, the upper surface of one leg downwardly inclined to receive cartridges from said top opening, a pin straddling the opening adjacent the rear of said plate for directing forwardly the lowermost cartridge entering said plate, and a cut-out portion in the forward undersurface of said plate opposite said projecting bullet guide, an oscillating guide arm mounted in said receiver adjacent one side of said bolt, an inwardly projecting bullet guide on the forward portion of said arm, said arm having an inwardly directed rear projection, a cam surface on the side of said bolt adjacent said guide arm, whereby, when said bolt is in its forwardmost position said bullet guide is forced aside by said bolt and the cartridge from said magazine rests upon the top surface of said bolt, and subsequent retraction of said bolt engages said cam with said rear projection to move said bullet guide inwardly to support the cartridge previously resting upon said bolt, and return movement of said bolt forwardly releases said cam surface from said rear projection as the face of said bolt proceeds forwardly to strike said bullet guide projection and drive the cartridge into said barrel.

(References on following page) 1 1 1 2 References Cited by the Examiner 1,846,034 2/1932 Larsson et a1. 8933 UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,809,564 10/ 1957 Pope 89-128 1901 Carr 39 33 FOREIGN PATENTS 3/1920 Fox et a1. 89--33 5 8,629 4/1913 Great Britain. 10/1920 Pedersen.

5/1927 Browning BENJAMIN A. BORCHELT, P/zmary Exammer. 6 1923 Methlin 2 FRED C. MATTERN, JR., Examiner. 2/1930 Janecek 8933 S. C. BENTLEY, Assistant Examiner. 

1. A MACHINE GUN COMPRISING, A RECEIVER, A BARREL SECURED TO THE FORWARD PART OF SAID RECEIVER, A ROTARY HORIZONTAL CARTRIDGE MAGAZINE ON TOP OF SAID BARREL, A CHAMBER IN THE FORWARD PART OF SAID RECEIVER ADJACENT THE REAR OF SAID BARREL, SAID MAGAZINE INCLUDING A BULLET SEPARATOR COMPRISING A PLURALITY OF SUBSTANTIALLY HORIZONTAL SPACED APART CIRCULAR DECKS ADAPTED TO RECEIVE A LAYER OF CARTRIDGES BETWEEN EACH PAIR THEREOF, A BASE PLATE SECURED TO THE LOWERMOST OF SAID DECKS, SAID PLATE HAVING AN OPENING ADJACENT THE FREE END OF THE LOWERMOST OF SAID DECKS AND JUXTAPOSED TO SAID CHAMBER, A CIRCULAR DRUM HOUSING PROVIDED AT ITS LOWER PORTION WITH A CENTRAL HORIZONTAL DRIVING PLATE AND ADAPTED TO FIT OVER SAID BULLET SEPARATOR FOR ROTARY MOVEMENT WITH RESPECT THERETO, VERTICALLY DISPOSED MEANS WITHIN SAID HOUSING ENGAGING THE ENDS OF THE CARTRIDGES BETWEEN SAID DECKS, AND POWER MEANS WITHIN SAID MAGAZINE ENGAGING SAID DRIVING PLATE TO ROTATE SAID DRUM HOUSING FOR ADVANCING THE CARTRIDGES THROUGH SAID SEPARATOR AND INTO SAID CHAMBER THROUGH SAID OPENING. 